UK airlines are now able to offer near-normal services to storm-lashed New York.

Virgin Atlantic operated its usual four-flights-a-day service to New York and was also operating normal schedules to Newark in New Jersey and to Boston and Washington DC on Thursday.

British Airways was flying all but one of its 11 daily services to New York as well as normal services to Newark and its other US east coast destinations.

"We flew an extra flight to America yesterday to clear the backlog and we are gradually getting the held-up people home," said a Virgin spokeswoman on Thursday.

BA was operating an extra flight to Newark on Thursday and the airline has added more ticket machines at airport terminals in New York and Newark to help customers through the rebooking and check-in process as quickly as possible.

A BA spokesman said: We would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.

"Customers should continue to check ba.com for the very latest information."